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Diagnostic technician vs cardiovascular technician

The differences between diagnostic technicians and cardiovascular technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a diagnostic technician and a cardiovascular technician. Additionally, a cardiovascular technician has an average salary of $62,986, which is higher than the $49,571 average annual salary of a diagnostic technician.

The top three skills for a diagnostic technician include patients, patient care and CPR. The most important skills for a cardiovascular technician are patients, BLS, and patient care.

Diagnostic technician vs cardiovascular technician overview

Diagnostic TechnicianCardiovascular Technician
Yearly salary$49,571$62,986
Hourly rate$23.83$30.28
Growth rate6%10%
Number of jobs70,08937,036
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 41%Associate Degree, 39%
Average age4345
Years of experience22

What does a diagnostic technician do?

Diagnostic Technicians are specialists in the inspecting, maintenance, and repair of equipment or service. Diagnostic Technicians can be working in the automotive sector, inspecting and repairing cars, to performing ultrasound procedures in the healthcare industry. Their duties include analyzing and collecting data, calibrating equipment, performing diagnostic tests and repairs, and organizing work records and reports. A Diagnostic Technician must have sound knowledge in using technical equipment and adheres to safety regulations when handling any tools.

What does a cardiovascular technician do?

A cardiovascular technician is responsible for monitoring and administering treatment plans for patients with cardiovascular illnesses. Cardiovascular technicians operate various equipment and machinery to ensure the accuracy of diagnosis and determine the medical procedures to take. They also assist the doctors in performing medical operations, observing the patients' condition, and explaining the test findings to the patients. A cardiovascular technician keeps a record of medical charts for reference, as well as providing progress updates to the doctors and the patients' families.

Diagnostic technician vs cardiovascular technician salary

Diagnostic technicians and cardiovascular technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Diagnostic TechnicianCardiovascular Technician
Average salary$49,571$62,986
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $77,000Between $43,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CityFresno, CADavis, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyWaymoHeartland Home Health Inc.
Best paying industryTelecommunicationHealth Care

Differences between diagnostic technician and cardiovascular technician education

There are a few differences between a diagnostic technician and a cardiovascular technician in terms of educational background:

Diagnostic TechnicianCardiovascular Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 41%Associate Degree, 39%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianMedical Technician
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachDuke University

Diagnostic technician vs cardiovascular technician demographics

Here are the differences between diagnostic technicians' and cardiovascular technicians' demographics:

Diagnostic TechnicianCardiovascular Technician
Average age4345
Gender ratioMale, 66.0% Female, 34.0%Male, 35.5% Female, 64.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between diagnostic technician and cardiovascular technician duties and responsibilities

Diagnostic technician example responsibilities.

  • Establish work procedures for the radiology staff.
  • Perform EKG testing on both inpatients and outpatients.
  • Assist in daily maintenance and troubleshooting of PACS.
  • Perform RNA and DNA extraction by using Qiagen kit.
  • Perform cardiology and EKG procedures as directed by medical staff.
  • Operated/Manage ECG, a, and DCG as needed per MD orders.
  • Show more

Cardiovascular technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist with placement and manage intra-aortic balloon pumps.
  • Certify in CPR and ACLS.
  • Scrub and monitor implant and EP Carto and basic ablation procedures.
  • Collect data with a GPS handheld receiver and map it in the office using GIS.
  • Provide continuous ECG and blood pressure monitoring for secondary medical cardiac beds as a cardiopulmonary monitor technician.
  • Perform hook-up and scanning of holter monitors.
  • Show more

Diagnostic technician vs cardiovascular technician skills

Common diagnostic technician skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Patient Care, 16%
  • CPR, 13%
  • Radiology, 7%
  • Diagnosis, 4%
  • EEG, 2%
Common cardiovascular technician skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • BLS, 12%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Acls, 8%
  • Cardiovascular Technologist, 5%
  • Cardiology, 4%

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